Outdoor Wall Hydrant Employing Plastic Tubing

ABSTRACT

A hydrant is provided that employs a pipe interconnected to a faucet assembly. The pipe is constructed of a material that is resistant to detrimental affects of corrosion and pitting. Corrosion and pitting of pipes made of copper, as opposed to the plastic material employed, tends to erode a portion of the outlet pipe circumferentially such that if the pipe is later exposed to expansive effects of ice, the pipe could burst, thereby causing damage to the dwelling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to wallhydrants located on the outside of buildings that are resistant todamage associated with freezing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

“Freezeless” wall hydrants, or faucets characteristically employ a fluidclosure valve located in a pipe that is positioned within an exteriorwall of a building. The fluid closure valve is opened and closed by anelongated rod connected to a handle that is operably associated thereto.Wall hydrants of this construction are “freezeless” since the closurevalve that turns on and shuts off the flow of water through the pipe islocated within the exterior wall and thus, maintained at a temperatureabove freezing. The pipe is angled downwardly from the fluid closurevalve to allow gravity to pull any water within the pipe from thehydrant.

The foregoing structure operates very successfully except, for example,in situations where a hose or the like is attached to the hydrant,whereupon subsequent to shut off, water in the pipe is either restrictedor prevented from exiting the hydrant by water trapped in the hose. Forexample, hoses are often interconnected to a wall hydrant on one end andto a selectively openable nozzle on another end. If the nozzle is notopened subsequent to hydrant shut off to allow water to drain from thehose, any water trapped within the pipe will not be able to escape.Thereafter, when the outside temperature drops below freezing, thetrapped water in the hose and in the pipe will freeze and expand, whichmay cause damage to the hydrant. Furthermore, any hydrant damage may notbecome apparent until the wall hydrant is subsequently turned on, whichcould be months from the time the damage occurred. To make mattersworse, the rupture point may be located within the exterior wall whereinopening the valve subsequent to damage will allow water to exit therupture point and damage the dwelling. Understandably, this damage maybe hidden for quite some time. Hydrant ruptures often do not occurexclusively due to frozen water in the pipe. Rather, ruptures resultfrom ice imposing severe pressure on captivated non-frozen fluid and/orgas in the pipe. Prior art pipes are susceptible to ruptures partiallydue to their make-up, which makes them prone to pitting and/or thinning.Pitting is generally descriptive of mechanical erosion or corrosion ofthe inside surface of the pipe by turbulent flow of the carried liquid.The amount of erosion/corrosion is also dependent on the make up of thepipe. Copper pipes have been used to distribute potable water withinbuildings for many years. Given the increased cost of copper, however,it would be desirous to use thinner walled pipe, furthering concernsover long term reliability of plumbing systems incorporating copper.Despite the reliability of copper, in some environments pits may form inthe pipe.

Corrosion often damages copper pipes in localized areas, i.e.“impingement damage”, which refers to the combined effect of corrosionand erosion caused by rapid flowing turbulent water. If the generalspeed of water within a copper pipe or degree of localized turbulence ina plumbing system is relatively high, the protective coating (if any) ofthe copper pipe will be removed from localized areas of the innersurface of the pipe, thereby permitting further corrosion to take place.The attack of metal is caused by the corrosive action of the water anderosive effect related to the mechanical removal of the corrosionproduct by the turbulent flow. It is unusual for the general watervelocity to be so high that impingement damage occurs throughout theentire plumbing system. More commonly, the fluid velocity issufficiently low enough for satisfactory protective films to be formedand remain in position for most of the water system. Impingement damage,however, most likely occurs where there is a change in the direction ofwater flow that causes turbulence. In the arena of hydrants, forexample, turbulent flow often occurs at the interconnection of the pipeand hydrant head. The turbulence will influence the flow pattern throughthe pipe and cause erosive removal of material of the pipe, usually in acircumferential pattern. Thereafter if ice expands within the pipe, suchareas may rupture.

As briefly alluded to above, pitting may be prevented by the formationof a protective layer formed on the inner wall of the copper pipe. Morespecifically, one of skill in the art will appreciate that some forms ofmetal surface reactions are beneficial, such as when oxidized materialremains joined to the parent material. Water containing particularamounts of aluminum that react with the copper pipe to form a protectivecovering is one example of how beneficial metal surface reactions occurwhen copper pipe is employed. Unfortunately, due to the requirements ofthe Clean Water Act, which reduced the permitted amount of aluminum fromdrinking water, the formation of a beneficial protective layer on copperpiping is absent or less than it was in the past.

Thus, there is a long felt need in the field of plumbing to provide ahydrant that is resistant to pitting and is thus less susceptible to thedamaging affects of ice. The following disclosure describes an improvedhydrant that employs a pipe made of a material that is resistant to suchpitting and that also addresses the effects of expanding ice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a hydrant thatemploys a fluid inlet pipe made at least partially of a material that isresistant to pitting. More specifically, one embodiment of the presentinvention replaces the copper pipe generally employed by wall hydrantswith a pipe made of a plastic material. Another embodiment employs atraditional copper pipe having a segment made of a plastic material. Forexample, one embodiment of the present invention employs a pipe made ofcross linked polyethylene (PEX). One of skill in the art will appreciatethat other similar material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE),polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated PVC (CPVC), or any combinationthereof, may also be employed. Any similar materials that are resistantthe aforementioned problem of pitting may also be employed. Thecontemplated pipe interconnects to common hydrant assemblies.Preferably, a coupling may be used to interconnect the hydrant assemblyto the pipe wherein a band clamp is used to ensure that the pipe isfirmly interconnected to the hydrant assembly. Such use of a bandclamps, adhesives, sonic welding and spin welding, as opposed tosweating or otherwise interconnecting copper tubes, has the advantage ofreducing the risk of fire and is less time consuming. One advantage ofemploying embodiments of the present invention is the cost savingsassociated with not using increasingly costly copper. More specifically,in recent years, the price of copper has increased dramatically. Byeliminating some or all of the copper used in construction, buildingcosts can be reduced. In addition, by omitting copper the occurrences ofcopper theft are necessarily reduced. In one embodiment a hydrantemploying the contemplated erosion and corrosion resistant tubingweights about 14% less than similar hydrants of the prior art.

It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to providea common interface between a plumbing system of a dwelling and anoutdoor hydrant. More specifically, as materials other than copper arebeing used on an increasing basis, it has become desirable to ensurethat the interconnection between the plumbing system and the hydrant areconsistent with respect to the materials of manufacture. One of skill inthe art will appreciate that joining different materials may pose aproblem with respect to bonding and varieties of thermal expansionrates, for example. Thus, one embodiment of the present inventionemploys a plumbing system and hydrant that possess similar materialproperties to address if not alleviate this issue.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to employ a plasticbase material in plumbing components that may incur higher than normalpitting. More specifically, although the foregoing has been concernedpredominantly with hydrants, one of skill in the art will appreciatethat the use of PEX tubing as described herein can be used in anylocation of the plumbing system where pitting may be an issue.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a sleeve forincorporation within the pipe of a hydrant. More specifically, thesleeves described in detail below may be used in conjunction withhydrant assemblies that employ a copper or plastic pipes, but more aptlywith copper pipes. The sleeves contemplated herein would be used when acopper tube becomes fragile or ruptures. In operation, a user woulddisconnect a nut that secures the handle to the hydrant to gain accessto the inner portion of the pipe and remove the control rod associatedwith the valve. The sleeve may then be inserted into the tube to ineffect patch the rupture point.

In one embodiment, the sleeve has an outer diameter approximately equalto the inner diameter of the pipe such that a flow path between from thewater source and the weakened or ruptured area is effectively blocked.Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a coiled cylinderthat expands when placed within the pipe to patch the ruptured orweakened area. The expandable cylinder may include a compound that isthermally or chemically actuated to harden thereby forming a rigid,similar to cure-in-place-pipe used in exterior pipe repair. The sleeve,as will be outlined in further detail below, can be provided in anyshape or size and may be deployed within the pipe in any number of ways.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a removableportion that is affected by the fluid flowing through the tube. Morespecifically, a sacrificial sleeve is contemplated that is positionedwithin the pipe. This sleeve is designed to feel the brunt of thecorrosive damage. After a predetermined amount of time, the hydrantwould be inspected and the sacrificial sleeve could be replaced ifnecessary.

Similarly, a sleeve may be employed within a copper pipe and positionedadjacent to the areas of a pipe that is prone to pitting. This sleevewould thus block the turbulent flow from impinging upon the innerdiameter of the pipe. Also, one of skill in the art will appreciate thatcopper tubes may be coated with a material that is less prone orresistant to pitting similar to the corrosive layer that generallyformed on copper tubes of the prior art. This coating could be of aplastic material or other corrosive resistant material well known in theart.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a sleeve orother member that alters the flow of fluid through the pipe. Forexample, a sleeve having a plurality of baffles or restrictions or othermechanisms to alter fluid flow is envisioned such that the areas ofmaximum turbulent flow are reduced, eliminated or altered. For example,one of skill in the art will appreciate that the pipe may include athickened portion of copper material wherein the sleeve directs the flowsuch that impingements occur adjacent to the thickened areas ofmaterial, thereby increasing the lifespan of the hydrant.

The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it beconstrued as being representative of the full extent and scope of thepresent invention. The present invention is set forth in various levelsof detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attacheddrawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitationas to the scope of the present invention is intended by either theinclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summaryof the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularlywhen taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the general description of the invention given above andthe detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explainthe principles of these inventions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a hydrant employing a sleeve;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the sleeve of one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a sleeve of another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a two-piece sleeve of one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sleeve possessing a coiled cylindershape of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the sleeve of FIG. 9 shown in adeployed configuration;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the a sleeve of yet anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of FIG. 11, wherein the sleeve hasbeen deployed; and

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a sleeve similar to that shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 shown in a deployed position.

To assist in the understanding of the present invention the followinglist of components and associated numbering found in the drawings isprovided herein:

# Components 2 Wall hydrant 6 Pipe 10 Hydrant assembly 14 Vacuum Breaker18 Fluid drain conduit 22 Threads 26 Control rod 28 Screw 30 Handle 34Bushing 38 Packing washer 42 Flange 46 Valve body 50 Valve seat 54 Valvefitting 58 Water source 62 Coupling 66 Band clamping band 68 Bandclamping 72 Check valve 76 Sleeve 80 Throat 84 Tongue 88 Groove 92Overlap 104 Locking member

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.In certain instances, details that are not necessary for anunderstanding of the invention or that render other details difficult toperceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, thatthe invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a wall hydrant 2 of one embodiment of thepresent invention is shown wherein a pipe 6 is shown interconnected to afaucet assembly 10. The hydrant assembly 10 includes a vacuum breaker 14and a fluid drain conduit 18. The fluid drain conduit 18 may containthreads 22 for receipt of a hose (not shown). A control rod 26 ispositioned within the faucet assembly 10 and is interconnected to ahandle 30 preferably by a screw 28. The handle 30 is also associatedwith the hydrant assembly 10 via a bushing 34. The control rod 26 isheld in place by a packing washer 38. The hydrant assembly 10 isinterconnected to a flange 42 for interconnection to a dwelling. Thecontrol rod 26 communicates with a valve body 46 that is adapted totransition by selective rotation of the handle 30 to contact a valveseat 50 of a valve fitting 54 that is interconnected to the water source58 of a dwelling.

The pipe 6 provided in one embodiment of the present invention is madeof a material, such as plastic, that resists pitting. Preferably, thepipe 6 is interconnected to the faucet assembly 10 via a coupling 62 viaa band clamp 66. A band clamp 68 may also be used to interconnect thepipe 6 to the valve fitting 54. One of skill in the art will appreciatethat all or portions of the hydrant assembly 10 and/or the valve fitting54 may also be comprised of a material that resists pitting. When thevalve body 46 is transitioned away from the valve fitting 54, water istransferred through the valve fitting 54 and into an annular spacebetween the control rod 26 and the pipe 6. A check valve 72 is alsointerconnected to the valve body 46 to prevent backflow of water fromthe hydrant assembly 10 into the fluid source 58. One of skill in theart will appreciate that the pipe 6 may be constructed of a flexibleplastic to accommodate installation misalignments. If a flexible pipe isemployed, the rod 26 may need to be flexible or be replaced with alinkage to accommodate the flex of the pipe 6. Some embodiments are ableto flex at lest about 5 degrees.

One of skill in the art will appreciate upon review of the drawings thatturbulent flow can occur at the junction of the pipe 6 and the hydrantassembly 10 and the junction of the pipe 6 and the valve fitting 54 thatwill necessarily cause impingement on the inner surface of the pipe 6.Due to the nature of the material of the pipe 6, however, turbulent flowwill have little influence with respect to pitting of the material. Thatis, the plastic material used for constructing the pipe 6 of some of theembodiments described herein is made of a substantially non-corrosivematerial that will not react with the water flowing through the pipe 6.Although for a given thickness copper pipe generally possesses a higheryield strength than PEX, for example, the latter is not susceptible topitting. Thus the failure mode experienced by hydrants of the prior artwhen exposed to the expansive forces and pressure associated with icebeing situated in the outlet pipe is avoided. More specifically,turbulent flow, which is present at the marriage of the pipe 6 and thefaucet assembly 10, does not produce the characteristic circumferentialthinning and pitting of the pipe 6. As mentioned above, when exposed tohigh pressure, the thinned or pitted area is often the main rupturepoint.

One of skill in the art will appreciate upon review of the figures thatthe pipe 6 may be of any material that is not susceptible to pitting,such as PEX, PVC, CPVC or other similar types of materials. Further, thepipe 6 may be interconnected to the hydrant assembly 10 via any commonmethod such as clamps, bonding, spin welding, sonic welding, braces,bands (shown). Various seals may also be employed between the pipe 6 andthe faucet assembly 10 to help insure a water tight structure. Again,the valving mechanism shown may be of any valving mechanisms currentlyused.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a cross section view of a hydrant with asleeve 76 positioned therein. The sleeve 76 is generally a cylindricalpiece of material that snugly fits within the tube 6. When a leak isapparent or suspected, the bushing 34 and packing washer 38 of thehydrant is removed to expose the inner volume of the pipe 6. Next, thesleeve is placed within the pipe 6 to block the leak point of the tube.The sleeve 76 may be made of various materials, preferably, copper orplastic. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the pipe 6 mayinclude threads and the sleeve 76 may also include threads that are usedto mate the sleeve 76 into or onto the pipe 76. Alternatively, thesleeve may be adhered to the inner surface of the tube or otherwiselocked thereto. In one embodiment, the sleeve 76 is placed in the areasof the pipe 6 where maximum corrosion is to be expected. That is, thesleeve 76 is positioned within the pipe 6 prior to corrosion of the pipe6 which would be corroded, i.e., sacrificed in lieu of the pipe 6.Thereafter, the sleeve 76 may be removed, inspected, and replaced ifneeded. In this embodiment of the present invention the sleeve 76 mayinclude a visual indicator of thickness so that one could quicklyascertain whether sufficient wear has occurred to warrant replacement ofthe sleeve 76. For example, the sleeve 76 may be made of a plurality oflayers, each which have different colors, such that radial wear can beascertained. Alternatively, the sleeve may possess about the same lengthas the pipe.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a cross section of another embodiment of thesleeve 76 is shown that includes a throat 80 that would accelerate theflow, or otherwise alter the flow through the pipe. Sleeves 76 of thisnature may also be incorporated into the hydrant assembly prior to use.One of skill in the art will appreciate that the plurality of baffles orother flow restriction or enhancement mechanisms may be added to thesleeve 76 or directly to the inner diameter of the pipe to alter theflow characteristics within the pipe to prevent or alter the corrosioncharacteristics of the pipe.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a two-piece sleeve 76 is shown that iscomposed of two interlocking halves. The halves may interlock by way ofa tongue 84 and groove 88, but such interconnection is not necessarilyrequired. In operation, one would place one sleeve half within the pipeand then slide the other half of the sleeve adjacent thereto to form aseal within the pipe. Although a two-piece sleeve 76 is shown, one ofskill in the art will appreciate that a sleeve 76 of any number ofpieces may be employed without departing from the scope of theinvention. Further, the sleeve portions may be associated by way of aliving hinge that allows the portions to move relative to each other tofacilitate insertion into a pipe.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a sleeve 76 of another embodiment ofthe present invention is shown that is in the form of a coiled or rolledcylinder. It will be appreciated that a coiled cylinder can be placedwithin a pipe wherein the release of such would allow it to expand sothat an outer diameter thereof will snugly engage the inner diameter ofthe pipe. Although a slight overlap 92 is shown in FIG. 10, one of skillin the art will appreciate that the ends of the sleeve 76 may be made toabut after expansion. In addition, the sleeve 76 of this embodiment ofthe present invention may easily be modified to accommodate pipes ofvarious diameters. After the sleeve 76 is placed within the tube, someembodiments of the present invention are treated with hot or cold wateror another fluid containing a chemical that reacts with a chemicalimpregnated within the sleeve wall. This chemical reaction would expandand/or harden the sleeve 76 to create a tight bond between the outerdiameter of the sleeve and the inner diameter of the pipe.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, another version of the two-piece sleeve isshown. Here, a first portion 96 of the sleeve is added to the pipe andthe a second portion 100 of the sleeve would be interconnected theretoby a sliding engagement. It is envisioned that the sleeve portionssomewhat overlap 92 initially to facilitate insertion of the secondportion 100 of the sleeve into the pipe. That is, one of skill in theart will appreciate that a secure engagement of the sleeve 76 into thepipe may be very difficult. Thus by providing a second portion 100 ofthe sleeve that is slightly offset relative to the first insertedportion 96, insertion of the sleeve 76 is facilitated. With specificreference to FIG. 11, the sleeve 76 may be formed in one piece as well,wherein an overlap is provided. In order to completely deploy the sleeve76, a tool or fluid pressure is used to expand the second portion 100 ofthe sleeve relative to the first portion 96 of the sleeve, therebyallowing their respective ends to abut. FIG. 13 shows a configurationwhere the ends include a locking member 104 to help ensure that thesecond portion 100 of the sleeve does not move relative to the firstportion 96 of the sleeve.

The hydrant assembly 10 and associated hardware may be in any faucetassembly. Preferably, the faucet assembly are those manufactured by WCMIndustries, Inc., which hold various patents and published patentapplications, all of which are incorporated by reference in theirentireties herein. For example, the following are incorporated byreference in their entirety herein: U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,609 entitled“Yard hydrant with closure valve check valve”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,875entitled “Wall hydrant with slip clutch assembly”, U.S. Pat. No.7,100,637 entitled “Wall hydrant having backflow preventor”, RE39,235entitled “Freezerless wall hydrant for delivery of hot or cold waterthrough a single discharge conduit”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,337 entitled“Fluid hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,518 entitled “Escutcheon for wallmounted faucets and hydrants”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,509 entitled “Fluidhydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,534 entitled “Freeze protection device forwall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,442 entitled “Freezeprotection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,063entitled “Freezeless protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S.Pat. No. 6,805,154 entitled “Freeze protection device for wallhydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,446 entitled “Freeze protectiondevice for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,473 entitled“Push and turn hydrant for delivery of hot or cold water through asingle discharge conduit”, D482,431 entitled “Wall hydrant”, U.S. Pat.No. 6,532,986 entitled “Freeze protection device for wallhydrants/faucets”, D470,915 entitled “Wall hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No.6,431,204 entitled “Solenoid actuated wall hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No.6,206,039 entitled “Freezeless wall hydrant for delivery of hot or coldwater through a single discharge conduit”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,172entitled “Freeze protection device for wall hydrants/faucets”, U.S. Pat.No. 6,135,359 entitled “Heated yard hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,428entitled “Combination wall hydrant and backflow preventor”, U.S. Pat.No. 5,701,925 entitled “Sanitary yard hydrant”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,303entitled “Wall water hydrant having backflow and back siphonagepreventor”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,679 entitled “Wall water hydrant havingbackflow and back siphonage preventor”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,028 entitled“Sanitary yard hydrant”, 20080047615 entitled “Yard hydrant with checkvalve”, 20080047612 entitled “Automatic draining double check vacuumbreaker”, 20080006327 entitled “Hydrant Roof Mount”, 20070095396entitled “Assembly to mount a hydrant to a roof”, 20070044840 entitled“Motor actuated wall hydrant” 20070044838 entitled “Yard hydrant withclosure valve check valve”, 20070039649 entitled “Yard hydrant withdrain port air line” 20060254647 entitled “Yard hydrant with drain portcheck valve”, 20060196561 entitled “Wall hydrant having a backflowpreventor”, 20060108804 entitled “Wall hydrant with slip clutchassembly”, 20060086921 entitled “Wall hydrant assembly with a rotatableconnector”, 20050067833 entitled “Pipe coupling for joining pipes ofvarying diameters”, 20050034757 entitled “Freeze protection device forwall hydrants/faucets”, and 20040194395 entitled “Round wall-mountedhydrant housing for freezeless wall hydrants and method of installationthereof”.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of thoseembodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to beexpressly understood that such modifications and alterations are withinthe scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A hydrant for supplying fluid to an outdoor environment, comprising:a faucet assembly having a fluid drain conduit and a handleinterconnected to a rod control that terminates at an inlet valve, saidhandle adapted to selectively move said valve body; and a pipe made ofmaterial that is resistant to pitting associated with said faucetassembly and with said inlet valve, said rod control being positionedwithin said pipe, wherein when said handle is rotated, fluid istransmitted from the fluid source, through said pipe, and from saidfaucet assembly.
 2. The hydrant of claim 1, wherein said material thatis resistant to pitting is at least one of a cross-linked polyethylene,a polyvinyl chloride, and a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.
 3. Thehydrant of claim 1, wherein said faucet assembly and outlet pipe areinterconnected by way of a coupling.
 4. The hydrant of claim 1, whereinsaid valve fitting and said faucet assembly are interconnected to saidpipe via band clamps.
 5. A hydrant, consisting essentially of: a hydranthousing having an internal bore that is in fluid communication with afluid outlet, said bore having a first end and a second end, said firstend being in fluidic communication with a fluid source and said secondend adapted to receive a bushing; a pipe made of a material that isresistant to pitting associated with said first end of said bore; acontrol rod positioned within said pipe and associated on a first endwith a inlet valve and on a second end with said bushing; a handleinterconnected to said control rod that controls the location of saidinlet valve; an inlet valve fitting interconnected to said pipe; and acheck valve associated with said control rod, said check valve beingengaged with an inner surface of said pipe.
 6. The hydrant of claim 5,wherein said pipe is associated with said housing by way of a couplingthat engages the inner surface of said pipe and said internal bore. 7.The hydrant of claim 5, wherein said material that is resistant topitting is at least one of a plastic, a cross-linked polyethylene, apolyvinyl chloride and a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.
 8. The hydrantof claim 5, wherein said pipe is interconnected to said inlet valvefitting and said faucet assembly via a band clamp.
 9. A plumbing systemcomprising: a series of interconnected copper pipes located within adwelling; a faucet assembly having a fluid drain conduit and a handleinterconnected to a rod control that terminates at a valve body, saidhandle adapted to selectively move said valve body; and a pipe made ofplastic associated with said faucet assembly and with a valve fittingthat is associated with a fluid source, said rod control beingpositioned within said pipe, wherein when said handle is rotated, fluidis transmitted from the fluid source, through said pipe and from saidfaucet assembly.
 10. The hydrant of claim 9, wherein said plastic is atleast one of a cross-linked polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, and achlorinated polyvinyl chloride.
 11. The hydrant of claim 9, wherein saidfaucet assembly and outlet pipe are interconnected by way of a coupling.12. A method of preventing corrosion and erosion of a pipe of a hydrantassembly, comprising: providing a hydrant housing having an internalbore that is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet, said borehaving a first end and a second end, said first end being in fluidiccommunication with a fluid source and said second end adapted to receivea bushing; providing a pipe associated with said first end; providing acontrol rod positioned within said pipe and associated on a first endwith an inlet valve and on a second end with said bushing; providing aninlet valve fitting interconnected to said pipe on an end opposite tothe interconnection with said housing; providing a check valveassociated with said control rod; providing a handle interconnected tosaid control rod that controls the location of said inlet valve; turningsaid handle such that fluid it transported through said pipe; andaltering the flow of said fluid such that the inner surface of said pipeis protected from at least one of corrosion and erosion.
 13. The methodof claim 12 wherein said altering of flow is achieved by a sleeve thatis associated with the inner surface of said pipe that prevents thefluid from contacting said inner surface of said pipe.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 wherein said altering of flow is achieved by a memberassociated with the inner surface of said pipe that shifts the mostturbulent portion of the flow of fluid to a predetermined location.